A pageant queen who won the title of Miss National American Alabama 2024 is encountering criticism from supporters and previous victors who doubt the validity of her win.
After winning during Memorial Day weekend, plus-sized beauty pageant competitor Sara Milliken caused a sensation when cruel trolls targeted her weight.
However, after Milliken was referred to as “Miss Alabama” by multiple media sites, detractors are now expressing their confusion.
They promptly brought up the fact that the 23-year-old did not participate in the formal Miss America pageant.Shaver highlighted that the Miss Alabama crown is the sole official pathway to the Miss America pageant. Furthermore, contestants from Miss Alabama USA advance to the Miss USA pageant.
Shaver told 1819news, “Miss America now is 101 years old and then Miss USA, which goes on the Miss Universe pageant. But this National American Miss, no one has heard of it. I don’t even know what it is.”
Diane Westhoven was the 2024 Miss Alabama USA winner.
Shaver asserted that it is improper to use the title “Miss Alabama” for a different contest as Miss America owns the rights to it.
“If you are a pageant person, you’re only going to participate in either Miss America or Miss USA,” Shaver continued.
When Milliken won first place in the National American Miss pageant, she was ecstatic.
Her happiness was short-lived, though, as nasty trolls soon started making fun of her appearance.
“Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people,” she told WKRG. “Even though I’m not at that point, it can lead people to do some very dark things to themselves.”
Blaine Tom Mieroughts wrote, “I thought it was a beauty pageant,” as one of the critical remarks.
“Is that actually considered attractive in Alabama?” asked Randy Hicks.
“This should have been (M)iss Jack in the Box winner,” John Mason stated, making a sarcastic allusion to the fast food restaurant brand.
Some, like Tracie Stephens-Brooks, were gentler, stating that “To know is to love her. This young lady has a heart of gold and will give anyone in need a helping hand. A beautiful obese diva with style, sass and a lot of class.” Samantha Thrash Duff added: “So proud of her! We watched her all weekend and prayed hard that she would come home with that title! She is an amazing, sweet young woman and is going to do great things!”
“Great to finally not see some 100lb, blonde hair blue eyes who wants world peace win!” exclaimed David Junior. “Congrats to Alabama and this Queen!”
Now that the national final will take place in Florida during Thanksgiving, she is resolved not to let the harsh comments get in the way of her preparations.
“I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes,” she continued. Their words can hurt, even if it is online.
“I’ve always wanted to spread positivity, and this kind of put me in a position to do exactly that.”
It was Milliken’s third effort at the competition, which claims to promote “positive self-image by enhancing natural beauty within.” She participated over Memorial Day Weekend by participating in a series of interviews, volunteer work, and presentations in response to an open call.
The pageant’s organizers state that “Scoring in the pageant is based on ‘personality, confidence and communication.”
“Braces, glasses, skin problems, varying heights, weights and appearances, are all a part of creating the special and unique individual that you are and that we want to celebrate,” the website reads.
Although Milliken said that she was taken aback by the amount of support she received after winning, she has since received messages from people all around the world and in just one night, she acquired 2,500 Instagram and Facebook followers.
After winning, Milliken declared, “No matter what your body looks like, no matter where you come from, you can do anything you set your mind to, I met so many amazing and accomplished women. That was definitely the best part.”
Since then, hundreds of her admirers have poured thousands of dollars’ worth of beauty items and clothes into her email in an attempt to help her advance to the next round.
As she asked people to be kinder, Milliken emphasized that while she has been able to pick herself up, it is not as easy for other victims of cyberbullying.
The beauty queen responded to the criticism she received online regarding her weight by adding, “The things some people were saying truly was disgusting. I choose not to dwell on that.”
“However, there is an important to be had and I feel that as a titleholder it would be extremely irresponsible for me not to address the ‘second part’ of this story. “I feel often times people resort to Cyberbullying because it doesn’t feel real,” she continued. “It’s just words on a screen right? It can’t possibly cause physical harm? Wrong. Victims of cyberbullying are twice more likely to engage in self harm and suicidal behaviors.”
